Overview
- A head‑on crash on May 17 on Interstate 75 in Charlotte County killed 21‑year‑old University of South Florida student Lauryn Akey after a pickup truck driven the wrong way struck her Honda CR‑V.
- Troopers arrested 53‑year‑old Dennis Olson at the scene, administered a breathalyzer that registered a blood‑alcohol content of 0.222, and charged him with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter.
- Police say Olson sideswiped a Kia carrying a woman and two children minutes before the fatal collision and that one child later required surgery, according to the arrest affidavit.
- Reporting and court records show Olson has a prior impaired‑driving conviction in Minnesota, and he is being held without bond as prosecutors review whether to file additional charges.
- Family, friends and the USF community have launched public memorials for Akey while the case moves toward a June 15 court appearance and raises questions about controls on repeat drunk‑driving offenders.